The health food world can’t stop talking about these little things called chia seeds. But what are chia seeds, you may wonder, and what do they do for us?

Chia seeds are a plant that’s part of the mint family, however they actually don’t have any flavor at all. What’s the point, then? First of all, they add great texture to anything the mind can think of: soups, yogurt, smoothies, sauces, etc.. As an added plus, they are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which help protect against arthritis, cancer, and heart disease, for starters. When soaked in any liquid, chia seeds expand into a gelatinous substance that is high in fiber--meaning when we eat them, we feel more full. And these are only few of the benefits chia seeds provide us; so, moral of the story: it’s time to fall in love.

I decided to experiment with chia seeds by adding them to milk to make a chocolate pudding. I personally prefer almond milk to regular milk, but feel free to substitute this for whatever milk you like. This pudding takes no time to make at all; the hardest part is waiting because the pudding always tastes best when left in the fridge overnight. Once all the ingredients have been mixed and chilled, this Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding is absolutely delicious, as the chia seeds make it extra thick and satisfying. I hope you learn to love chia seeds just as I did!